Luke Perry + DragonCon = Portraits
November 2, 2010 12:50 PM   Subscribe

 
Chrome on the second link: "The website at furey.com.au contains elements from the site www.furey.com.au, which appears to host malware"
posted by Perplexity at 12:52 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


Dear god.. if you pasted all those together in flip book form, you could see all the dignity and self respect slowly draining from his already hollowed out shell of a human soul.
posted by mediocre at 12:54 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


Really? Is that reliable? It looks innocuous enough...
posted by Dragonness at 12:55 PM on November 2, 2010


Animated gif.
posted by morganannie at 12:56 PM on November 2, 2010 [9 favorites]


(I got the malware message using Chrome as well).
posted by morganannie at 12:56 PM on November 2, 2010


Aren't these all photos from this recent post anyway?
posted by Gator at 12:58 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


You know, I had sort of the same reaction as mediocre did, at first. Then somehow, from somewhere, a some new respect for Luke Perry grew and took form.

Here's a man who is there for the fans. And he did his job, without being over the top about it - his enthusiasm, when it is showing, seems to be genuine. Of course, he is an actor.
posted by Xoebe at 12:59 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


Oh man, Froggy is no longer on Flickr! Bummer, those were awesome.
posted by Gator at 12:59 PM on November 2, 2010


Gator, I didn't see the Luke Perry ones in there.
posted by Dragonness at 12:59 PM on November 2, 2010


He seems pretty affable to me, you know?
posted by Mister_A at 1:00 PM on November 2, 2010


What's he doin' nowadays anyhow? I can't remember him in anything really dragoncon-related...
posted by Mister_A at 1:01 PM on November 2, 2010


9021 uh-oh amirite
posted by not_on_display at 1:02 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


What's he doin' nowadays anyhow? I can't remember him in anything really dragoncon-related...

I thought the same thing, maybe he was there to plug this.

I didn't see his self-respect draining away, I thought it was kind of nice he did that. Although I'm sure he was paid and was promoting himself blah blah...
posted by marxchivist at 1:04 PM on November 2, 2010


you could see all the dignity and self respect slowly draining from his already hollowed out shell of a human soul

Why? Because he dares to have his picture taken with fat women?

I have to say I have a newfound respect for the man, I think it's pretty cool he did this. I bet some of these people will never forget that Luke Perry took a picture with them, even after he fades into the past.
posted by exhilaration at 1:04 PM on November 2, 2010 [15 favorites]


I'm pretty sure I remember seeing Luke Perry and a bunch of other usedtobes in them, but since they're not using Flickr anymore I guess it doesn't matter. I hope they put their photos back up somewhere, because they were full of Grade-A Awesome.
posted by Gator at 1:04 PM on November 2, 2010


Can you guys really not do this please? Froggy seriously screwed up by posting these images publicly, and it has angered a huge portion of the DragonCon community that he did this.

These people paid money to have these photographs taken, and they never granted Froggy permission to do this with their photographs.

It is disgusting and disrespectful of you all to turn this into LOLFREAK - it isn't cool and it isn't civil of you.
posted by strixus at 1:05 PM on November 2, 2010 [17 favorites]


I like the ladies who look like they are in a homecoming photo with him. Dreams do come true! Second link contains unabashed silliness; may cause giggles.
posted by frecklefaerie at 1:06 PM on November 2, 2010


strixus, take some prop 19, mate. Who's going all LOLFREAK here?
posted by Mister_A at 1:07 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]




People used to say I looked like Luke Perry. I was actually accosted by girls in the street, back when I was 22, who insisted I was him.

I don't.

Except ... our eyes and eyebrows are almost identical. It's spooky.
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:08 PM on November 2, 2010


Wait, was there a Thing? With Froggy posting the pictures on Flickr? His site still says that Flickr is where people can go to download their photos, but on Twitter he just told somebody they aren't using Flickr anymore.
posted by Gator at 1:09 PM on November 2, 2010


That Labyrinth shirt is made of unmitigated awesome.
posted by Mister_A at 1:10 PM on November 2, 2010 [4 favorites]


What's he doin' nowadays anyhow? I can't remember him in anything really dragoncon-related...

First things that come to mind are the original Buffy movie and Jeremiah, the JMS show that wasn't Bab5.

Tangentially, for any Dawson's Creek or Fringe fans: Pacey-Con 2010.
posted by kmz at 1:10 PM on November 2, 2010


Oh yeah! The original Buffy movie! Forgot about that, thanks.
posted by Mister_A at 1:12 PM on November 2, 2010


Why? Because he dares to have his picture taken with fat women?

This does not look like a man enjoying his work. Sorry.
posted by Joe Beese at 1:13 PM on November 2, 2010


Luke Perry does not deserve to be be in the same room as those folks. Those folks are hard hore dragon fans, Luke Perry is clearly just into dragons for the cash.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:14 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


This does not look like a man enjoying his work. Sorry.

He could have refused to hold the sign.
posted by morganannie at 1:14 PM on November 2, 2010


Seeing how much he's aged (not that I haven't too), I'm loathe to find out what the one actor in 90210 I thought was cute, looks like now.
posted by nomisxid at 1:15 PM on November 2, 2010


Also, I'm not sure I understand all the beanplating over him taking these pictures with fans. It's a bog-standard thing at cons for stars to take posed photos with fans who've paid for the privilege. These aren't random shots from the con floor or anything. I think the only really remarkable thing is how consistent he is in his expression and pose for most of them.
posted by kmz at 1:15 PM on November 2, 2010


Yes, there was a big thing.

He posted not only those who wanted jpgs of their pics, but also many who didn't. He also has NEVER posted them before, but previously emailed them. People had assumed, and had heard no differently, that the same would be true this year.

Instead, he posted them, publicly, where they were snapped up by a number of sites as LOLFREAK filter, and mocked by those sites mercilessly.

As such, it strikes me as both a flagrant violation of these people's purchased moment photographs, as well as their wishes, to continue to circulate them, even if you are laughing at the star in the photos, not the people.

Again, many of these were posted by Froggy without the owner's permission, and as such, a violation of their ownership of that image.
posted by strixus at 1:15 PM on November 2, 2010 [4 favorites]


Strixus, which photo is yours?
posted by Brocktoon at 1:19 PM on November 2, 2010 [6 favorites]


1. What you are interpreting as lack of enjoyment could just be fatigue. I'd have a hard time maintaining a smile during a long meet and greet process, actor or not.
2. Aren't there also pics of Summer Glau going through the same "ordeal" somewhere on the tubes?
posted by Billiken at 1:20 PM on November 2, 2010


None are mine. I hate Froggy, and refuse to pay his prices, or the prices most stars charge for their pictures to be taken.
posted by strixus at 1:20 PM on November 2, 2010


Luke Perry has always seemed like a kinda nice guy.
posted by mrgrimm at 1:22 PM on November 2, 2010


It's a bog-standard thing at cons for stars to take posed photos with fans who've paid for the privilege.

It is still pretty weird. What do you do with photos of you and unhappy looking teen idols anyway?
posted by smackfu at 1:25 PM on November 2, 2010


Is Froggy their real name?
posted by Theta States at 1:25 PM on November 2, 2010


Nobody is laughing at the star. He's a cool guy for taking the time to do this.
posted by fire&wings at 1:28 PM on November 2, 2010


It turns out he's an NSFW google image search.

a violation of their ownership of that image.

The general consensus I got from an old ask.me was that baring explicit transfer of copyright in a written contract, the photographer owns the images. Which is not to say what he did was right. If he's any sort of pro, he probably has a standard agreement he has clients sign which lets him reuse the image for promotional purposes as well. It's not clear that froggy made any sort of mockery of the subjects, just that he didn't consider the consequences of letting them be publicly available via flickr.
posted by nomisxid at 1:28 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


strixus, you might want to point your vitrol at whatever site is turning this into LOLFREAK, cuz it ain't here.
posted by dead cousin ted at 1:30 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


I take back what I said, it was unfair to judge Luke.

He could be making an appearance as "World Renowned Dragon Aficionado Luke Perry" not "Early 90's Badboy Teen Heartthrob Luke Perry"
posted by Ad hominem at 1:31 PM on November 2, 2010


Yes, there was a big thing.

Man, that's sad. I really, really loathe all those "let's make fun of ordinary-looking people" LOL sites out there (and this Buzzfeed post makes me uncomfortable for the same reason), but I somehow thought Froggy's photos were out there with the permission of the participants, a celebration of "I met a celebrity" awesomeness. (And technically, there was probably fine print in which they agreed to their photos being used for publicity purposes.) Still, even in the recent thread that I linked to above, people were getting their lulz out of some of the goofier fans...
posted by Gator at 1:31 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


And those photos cost $40. Luke Perry is actually top tier. Full price list.

You want a bad celeb photo, how about this one with Patrick Stewart? (Not LOLFREAK.)
posted by smackfu at 1:33 PM on November 2, 2010 [3 favorites]


Again, many of these were posted by Froggy without the owner's permission, and as such, a violation of their ownership of that image.

Uh. It sounds like there are a lot of DragonCon people who don't really understand how ownership of one's likeness works... The photographer owns the photos. Which is why he can sell them to you. You own your likeness, but only when it comes to commercial use (and I don't think a convincing argument can be made for the upload to flickr as a commercial use). Anyone can take a photo of you in a public place, and there isn't a reasonable expectation for privacy at DragonCon.

This may or may not have been a nice thing to do, but no one's rights were violated here.
posted by danny the boy at 1:34 PM on November 2, 2010 [4 favorites]


I was there this year. Had I managed to get there a couple hours earlier that day, I probably would have had my pic taken with him just for kicks. Whew... looks like I dodged a bullet there. Procrastination FTW!
posted by spilon at 1:40 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


How the hell is Scott Bakula pulling $75!?
posted by neuromodulator at 1:42 PM on November 2, 2010


I'm glad it's finally been confirmed that Mark Sheppard is, justly, priceless.

[not name-ist]
posted by Shepherd at 1:42 PM on November 2, 2010


I promise that if I ever achieve fame of appreciable sort that I will go to Dragon-Con and take pictures with people in front of a prom backdrop FOR FREE! I will even hold signs and look uncomfortable FOR NO EXTRA CHARGE.
posted by cyphill at 1:43 PM on November 2, 2010 [5 favorites]


I would pay $50 to have my picture taken with Morbo.
posted by Mister_A at 1:43 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


Actually, he seems far more human to me in these photos than he ever did at the peak of his "90210" Godhead stage.
posted by blucevalo at 1:45 PM on November 2, 2010


That is one patient dude.
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 1:47 PM on November 2, 2010


The prime problem with what Froggy did was that he posted these images publicly without previously stating that he would do so.

These are personal moments for these fans, even if they are fake and mass produced, it is still something they care about deeply. And Froggy disrespected that.

Even if he owns the image, these people paid him to have it taken, and, as customers, should have a reasonable expectation that their product belongs to them solely unless otherwise stated. I use right above not in a legal sense but a philosophical sense - IP law is futzy at the best of times, but I do believe if you pay for something, even a service, the service and its products were yours, baring some other contractual agreement otherwise.

Go try to find a contract on Froggy's site. It doesn't exist. And, prior to this year, he's never done ANYTHING like this. He didn't think, and now, it has probably cost him a great deal of business, even more than last year's horror show where somehow his equipment was "stolen" and hundreds of paying customers' images were lost. (That was a whole different plate of beans, and his reluctance to give refunds for undelivered photographs was not well received).

The point is this, even if these people don't have an expectation of privacy at the con as a whole - and nearly everyone knows this - hell it is printed on the damned badges - they do have an expectation that their purchased photographs, taken by a professional photographer under their momentary contractual employ be treated with some modicum of respect and dignity.

Even if these were pure public domain, it is still not right to do what many of you have done in this thread, or what others have done elsewhere, which is to mock the very moment of having your picture taken with someone famous at a convention - even if you aren't mocking the star or the person's appearance, you are mocking their moment before the camera. It is no stranger than having a book signed by an author, nor any more unusual than getting an autograph from a baseball player.

And sorry if I get a bit defensive of this, but each year at DragonCon we have had instances of fans at the con being assaulted by others. Last year one girl was hit with a pack of eggs from a moving car, while in costume. This is the sort of mocking of nerds that makes people think this sort of behavior is acceptable.
posted by strixus at 1:48 PM on November 2, 2010 [3 favorites]


So what's Luke's cut of the $40? Or does Froggy take the lot?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:52 PM on November 2, 2010


I have no idea how the financials work out for the models in the photos, but I wonder, what if instead of charging $40 a shot, they just charged $1 for a raffle ticket. Assuming (big assumption) that there are 40x more people willing to put in a buck for the chance, they could have the same take but not feel as crappy about it.

What I love about these pictures is how comfortable the subjects look most of the time. I would feel awkward as hell in a frame with Aaron Douglas.
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 1:58 PM on November 2, 2010


Those pictures are ... strangely magical.
posted by Dr. Wu at 1:58 PM on November 2, 2010


I have to pay people $40 to pose with me. And we're just talking family and friends, here.
posted by maxwelton at 2:03 PM on November 2, 2010 [3 favorites]


strixus, you might want to point your vitrol at whatever site is turning this into LOLFREAK, cuz it ain't here.

Then why was this posted, if not for the 'loz look at the freaks with Luke Perry' or 'lolz, how poor Luke Perry has fallen, getting his pic taken with these ridiculous people'? You can't even go the 'because Luke Perry is an awesome and affable person' without raising the question of '...why? Because he puts up with these people?'

If this was 'Luke Perry portraits with beautiful people at Cannes', there'd be no post.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 2:04 PM on November 2, 2010 [5 favorites]


Even though I am a reflexively judgmental snarkhole, the main effect these photos have on me is to disarm and charm me. So: cool post.
posted by everichon at 2:04 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


I posted this because it had a very MeFi vibe about it. As simple as that.
posted by Dragonness at 2:08 PM on November 2, 2010


Uh. It sounds like there are a lot of DragonCon people who don't really understand how ownership of one's likeness works... The photographer owns the photos. Which is why he can sell them to you. You own your likeness, but only when it comes to commercial use (and I don't think a convincing argument can be made for the upload to flickr as a commercial use). Anyone can take a photo of you in a public place, and there isn't a reasonable expectation for privacy at DragonCon.

I doubt any of the subjects are going to sue (although I guess they could if they wanted to), so this is more of an ethical issue than a legal one. If someone takes nude photos of their SO and posts them all over the Internet without permission, that is clearly a dick move even if as the photographer they legally have the right to publish them non-commercially. Froggy may have just not thought through the consequences of posting something like this publicly on the Internet, but the end result is that some people are feeling bad about getting their photos posted everywhere.
posted by burnmp3s at 2:09 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


So this guy (apparently his name is Donald Bonneau) has built a business doing this despite being a total screwup. Why don't the convention crowds stop patronizing him? It's unfortunate there are some lulz had at the expense of the photo subjects, but it doesn't seem too harsh, especially in this thread. Don't get defensive or mad at the world, make sure the idiot responsible can't continue to exploit your community.
posted by ecurtz at 2:09 PM on November 2, 2010


I'm not buying the LOLFREAK angle. I'm buying the remember-this-dude-from-90210-he-is-at-dragoncon-of-all-places-hugging-people-you-would-never-see-on-90210-interesting-huh angle.
posted by Brocktoon at 2:13 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


It's a bog-standard thing at cons for stars to take posed photos with fans who've paid for the privilege

Having grown up in non-media sf fandom, I still have trouble wrapping my mind around the pay-for-play norm at media cons. I'm used to all of the biggest names being accessible and approachable, and the idea of charging for an autograph or photo being beyond the pale.

Yeah, yeah, there isn't the same demand, doubly so for photos.
posted by Zed at 2:17 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


I am so jealous now. I had no idea you could do this. All I want for Xmas now is a portrait with Jorge Garcia.
posted by yeti at 2:18 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


I posted this because it had a very MeFi vibe about it. As simple as that.

It seems like a "point and laugh" post to me too. The original Froggy post was problematic for the same reason, but it had much more value, imo.

The fact that the second link springs a Google malware alert is strike two. Flagged.
posted by mrgrimm at 2:26 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


And those photos cost $40. Luke Perry is actually top tier. Full price list

$40 for the Weasley twins?? YES!!
posted by candyland at 2:30 PM on November 2, 2010


I looked through the photo op prices and didn't know who half of them were despite my high nerd cred, but I have to say that, and I am speaking as a mostly straight woman here, I would much rather pay $30 to take a picture with Summer Glau than $40 for Luke Perry.
posted by misha at 2:33 PM on November 2, 2010


$40 for the Weasley twins?? YES!!

Same as in Hogsmeade.
posted by padraigin at 2:38 PM on November 2, 2010 [18 favorites]


mostly straight woman

I see what you did there.

Was Luke Perry at DragonCon because of John from Cincinnati? Was John an alien dragon?
posted by mrgrimm at 2:42 PM on November 2, 2010


I would buy the entire "these people are having a personal moment in front of the camera, do not mock them" idea, but for the fact that these people are paying $30+ to have a picture taken in front of a pretty ridiculously Sears Photo Studio / Olan Mills-ish backdrop. That's not a personal moment, it's... a poorly framed posed picture with someone they probably won't get to say more than "Hi, I like your work" to.

Now, if I could stand next to Patrick Stewart as we both held up cups of hot earl grey in front of a star field backdrop, I'd shell out $50.
posted by mikeh at 2:45 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


Why don't the convention crowds stop patronizing him?

I'd guess because he has the stars they want photos with. And the convention itself probably just wants someone who can run a booth properly without making a mess of their hall.
posted by smackfu at 2:45 PM on November 2, 2010


I don't see the LOLFREAK angle, either. It seems very human, on both sides of the celebrity divide. It was interesting. And as someone who doesn't go to DragonCon, a slice of reality I've never seen.
posted by neuromodulator at 2:53 PM on November 2, 2010



I am so jealous now. I had no idea you could do this. All I want for Xmas now is a portrait with Jorge Garcia.


Holy crap this is a great idea. Let's get Jorge Garcia, a clothes rack of crappy ill-fitting sweaters and a fake fireplace backdrop with a christmas tree to the side and hit the comic-con circuit! Glad to meet you new business partner!
posted by cyphill at 2:54 PM on November 2, 2010


"Even if these were pure public domain, it is still not right to do what many of you have done in this thread, or what others have done elsewhere, which is to mock the very moment of having your picture taken with someone famous at a convention - even if you aren't mocking the star or the person's appearance, you are mocking their moment before the camera. It is no stranger than having a book signed by an author, nor any more unusual than getting an autograph from a baseball player. "

Well, except that you have to pay for it. I realize that paying for autographs is a thing now too, but frankly, that seems pretty sleazy, especially when celebs and celeb runoff are already being paid to appear at the cons.

I'd also say that Luke Perry looks mighty fucking zonked throughout the shots, especially noticeable in the .gif. The only time he looks like he's actually having fun and not recovering from dental surgery is when he's got the dude in the headlock.

And seriously, blaming this level of mockery — by nerds, for nerds, of nerds — for the nerd hazings? Pssh. Pretty weak.
posted by klangklangston at 2:58 PM on November 2, 2010


The thing that bothers me about the persecution people are responding to... I don't see it happening here? I mean this is still Metafilter right? Of the internet? Have you been to a meetup?

That guy who looks like he pooped himself with excitement because he's taking a picture with Captain Jean Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise?

We are the nerds in these photos.
We are all poop pants guy
posted by danny the boy at 3:03 PM on November 2, 2010 [5 favorites]


and for all the comments about his facial expression: that's exactly how he played dylan, to the best of my recollection, too.
posted by neuromodulator at 3:04 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


morganannie: "Animated gif."

Oh man, that is PRECISELY where my mind went, I'm so glad someone made that and you posted a link! :)
posted by symbioid at 3:09 PM on November 2, 2010


actually, i'm backing off from my "I don't see the LOLFREAK angle" stance a bit. it's there, in the framing, as "the 21 best", which implies that these are funny, somehow. and that is lame.

but i think that this angle is being largely overlooked by the metafilter crowd, and i still think these are interesting on their own merits. but i can see why people have their backs up.
posted by neuromodulator at 3:11 PM on November 2, 2010


and for all the comments about his facial expression: that's exactly how he played dylan, to the best of my recollection, too.

Right? That's just his FACE, you guys! It looked brooding and deep when he was a thirty year old playing a sixteen year old, now it just looks a little weary. But that's his face.

A face which makes me think he really should have armwrestled Josh Brolin for the role of George W. Bush, in some shots. Sorry, Teenaged Me, but some of our crushes grow up to look like dorky ex-Presidents.
posted by padraigin at 3:12 PM on November 2, 2010


If I had a picture taken with some celebrity I admired and it got posted on some way cool websites for all to see I'd be excited.

My mom chases Nicholas Sparks around and gets her picture taken with him all the time. She would be tickled pink* if one of those pics went viral.

How do we know these folks aren't excited to have their 15 minutes of fame?

And I just don't see the lulz in here so you can get off that high horse, too.

*her words, not mine.
posted by morganannie at 3:14 PM on November 2, 2010


How the hell is Scott Bakula pulling $75!?

Because Quantum Leap... is timeless. YYYEEAAtc.

(That sentence could also have been just "Because Quantum Leap.")
posted by No-sword at 3:16 PM on November 2, 2010


Well, those folks could have been asked. This is an opt-in deal, to me.

Not that I have my photo taken, but had the photographer sent my photo out to strangers, without my permission, I would make great efforts to ensure that said photographer would understand and synchronize with my enormous displeasure.
posted by adipocere at 3:32 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


read half the thread. sorry but luke perry can do anything he wants with me. Anything.
posted by yesster at 3:52 PM on November 2, 2010 [1 favorite]


Ignoring the who flickr debacle, Froggy's business model by itself isn't so bad. The problem is the fallout to other con guests who may want a quick camera-phone snapshot while they're getting something signed -- only to be screamed at by a handler that Froggy's photos are the only ones allowed. That is what I have a problem with.

That being said, there are those "doomed to the con circuit" who are extremely gracious and go out of their way to make each con guest feel special. Levar Burton, John deLancie, and Brent Spiner* are 3 off the top of my head that I've watched interact with general enthusiasm with their fans. In my experience as both staff and a congoer, the gracious con guest and the insufferably full-of-himself con guest are far more common than the "oh god why am I here, kill me now" con guest.*

Though count me as another D*C attendee who did a double take upon seeing Luke Perry's name in the con guide.

* There is also the drunk/medicated out of his mind con-guest, which goes a long ways to support the "never meet your heroes" saying...
posted by Wossname at 4:23 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


Bah, rogue asterisk... Brent Spiner is not one of the drunk/medicated guests I've had the misfortune to run into...
posted by Wossname at 4:24 PM on November 2, 2010


As my friend on facebook said when he saw the pictures out of context 'What is this? It's like some carnival of lost souls'

Worth it for the Luke Perry with Luke Perry shots. Old lady Luke Perry with the glasses made me cackle.
posted by AzzaMcKazza at 5:27 PM on November 2, 2010


Yeah, I don't see the lol side of it. Oh, okay, sure there are a couple of OMGFATTIES in there, but there are also some nice pictures which have perfectly normal looking (or even attractive) people and a couple where he looks like he's having something approximating fun. If anyone is being mocked here, it's Perry himself.

I'm sure the guy in #6 will treasure that photo for the rest of his life. As he should.

As for them being posted online - I'm pretty sure that every professional photo I've had taken has had a clause that the photographer could use it for advertising or to summon demons or whatever the hell else he felt like. Froggy (seriously? Froggy?) may not have a standard contract, but I'd sort of assume that went with the territory.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 6:07 PM on November 2, 2010


Luke Perry's agent was the demon of Dragon*Con. He was mentioned in two separate panels I attended. In each panel, one of the panelists wanted to do something cool with Luke Perry, Luke was excited, and the agent came out and said "no". Apparently, Luke looked distraught.
posted by jcronen at 7:43 PM on November 2, 2010 [2 favorites]


I'm sure the guy in #6 will treasure that photo for the rest of his life.

Who, this guy? You should ask him. I'm pretty sure he works here.
posted by dersins at 10:49 PM on November 2, 2010


I'm used to all of the biggest names being accessible and approachable, and the idea of charging for an autograph or photo being beyond the pale.

For-profit media cons like DragonCon are a completely different ball of wax than lit conventions. In general I find the culture of the former repugnant and the latter interesting if not for me. For-profit cons draw a sharp dividing line between the "talent" and the fans. The purpose of these conventions is to transfer money from the latter to the former... and, mostly, to the con itself.

Real^H^H^H^H traditional written SF conventions don't have the same bright dividing line. Sure, pros are going to be on panels and such but they're also in many or most cases going to be hanging out, attending parties, drinking at the bar, and so on. A great many of them are fans themselves and were attending conventions before they became pros. The purpose of these conventions is for a group of people to get together with like-minded folks and celebrate a shared hobby/interest/passion/way-of-life. Ostensibly, anyway. The real purpose used to be getting hammered for a few days straight and finding somebody to hook up with for freaky con sex. Nowadays a lot of the congoers are getting on in years and the getting hammered part is optional. That discussion of science fiction occurs is just icing. Nobody is making any significant money here, and most of the cons are fan-run and not for profit.

The real difference is that almost all of the people at a not-for-profit written SF convention actually want to be there. A lot of the pros at media cons... well, enough said.
posted by Justinian at 12:38 AM on November 3, 2010


Justinian, I would counter that a good number of actors / writers who attend dragoncon do so because they really like the con and have fun. I've heard it straight from the horses mouth in some cases. Hell, Garrett Wang runs an event track at the con - why? Because he is such a nerd and loves doing it. Brandon Sanderson was geeking out so hard one night this year because he got to meet some of his favorite SF authors.

And I can tell you - DragonCon doesn't make nearly the money you think it might. Most of it goes straight into operating costs.

So maybe some are there because they feel they have to be, but a great number are there because they've come once and had so much fun they keep coming back.
posted by strixus at 1:01 AM on November 3, 2010 [1 favorite]


Yeah. Are they paid to be there, strixus? Stop paying them and see what happens.
posted by Justinian at 1:11 AM on November 3, 2010




mippy thinks The 21 Best Portraits Of Luke Perry At DragonCon is LOL, WTF & CONTAINING DEPRESSING ELEMENT OF INTERNET POINT AND LAUGH
posted by mippy at 7:06 AM on November 3, 2010


"it has angered a huge portion of the DragonCon community that he did this."

THE DRAGONCON COMMUNITY FROWNS UPON THESE SHENANIGANS.
posted by falameufilho at 7:10 AM on November 3, 2010


dersins: "I'm sure the guy in #6 will treasure that photo for the rest of his life.

Who, this guy? You should ask him. I'm pretty sure he works here.
"

OMG is that really cortex? That is FREAKING AWESOME. I would love to hear that story. I would bet it is sidebar worthy.
posted by I am the Walrus at 7:45 AM on November 3, 2010


OMG $55 for a photo with Nelsan & Trammell from True Blood!!! YESSSsssss
posted by Theta States at 8:25 AM on November 3, 2010


There's been a lot of talk about the fees charged for photos and I don't know how DragonCon works -- but I know that, at least to other convention organizers I've spoken to, the fee is how they get the big(ger) stars -- especially smaller cons.

They can't afford to fly them out, pay them for their time, etc. unless they charge those that can afford it for the photo -- or they raise the price of admission for the entire con for everybody. In certain cons, it's a great idea; those who can afford it get the keepsake - those who can't still get to see the stars in their panels. It's win/win/win all around.

And it's certainly not asshole behavior for them to expect to have their expenses paid and be paid for their time. If you think a con is different than that, you really need to reset your expectations of what an actor "owes" to you. Like by a lot.

(On a related note, want to do something dangerous. Call the lovely Elisabeth Sladen a diva for charging for photos (especially when she's not responsible for any of that and is unaware of that) in a convention hall full of Doctor Who fans. You want ugly. That was ugly.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:58 AM on November 3, 2010 [1 favorite]


Are the stars actually lowering their fees to show up at the panels, because of the photos?
posted by smackfu at 9:02 AM on November 3, 2010


Are the stars actually lowering their fees to show up at the panels, because of the photos?

Again, I can't speak for all conventions. But of those of which I'm (very loosely) aware, it's isn't a matter of "panel fees" or "photo fees" but the expense of their flights, hotels, and appearance fees getting spread out over the what the con makes on admission to the con and the photos.

If the con makes a ton of money on photos, it then remains much easier for them to keep the admission costs down.

At the cons I know of, the star isn't getting the money from the photos as much as it is being used to pay their bills.

Again, I'm only familiar with how I've been told one local sci-fi one works (absolutely no points for guessing which one) and have been told that their way of doing it is common.

I would imagine, however, that a more for-profit con might really be running things differently.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:19 AM on November 3, 2010


OMG is that really cortex?

Uh, no, I don't think so. I was kidding.
posted by dersins at 9:58 AM on November 3, 2010


I didn't get that. Apparently I am very gullible. Sorry.
posted by I am the Walrus at 10:20 AM on November 3, 2010


I would be so happy if it were revealed the Cortex is actually Luke Perry, and the whole Josh Millard identity was just a front to hide the whole celebrity thing. How awesome would it be if Luke Perry turned out to have Cortex's personality?
posted by neuromodulator at 10:42 AM on November 3, 2010 [1 favorite]


Ok I go to Con, have done so for 4 years. I dress up. I attend panels. I take pics with other costumers. I LOVE IT.

But in all honesty? Why is the first guy wearing a red shirt? It just doesn't help things.
posted by stormpooper at 10:51 AM on November 3, 2010


I was one of the ones in the 21 photos. To answer a few questions - Froggy does not have a standard contract that I read or signed before or at the point of purchase. I checked my receipt and there is nothing that states about him owning your photo. And I didn't purchase a jpeg, which is the reason that the photos were uploaded to flickr. Though, it doesn't really matter. I would never pursue suing him or anything. I was pissed off initially because of his lack of professionalism and then I got over it.

And, though it's not going on here, there was a lot of LOLFREAK going on those first few days, which was quite embarrassing. That's how I was alerted to it via someone's FB wall. A friend shared it on his wall after he recognized me. I went to his friend's wall (someone who didn't know me) and the majority of the comments were of a mocking tone. The first few sites to link it were all posting under the LOLFREAK category.

Why do we do it in the first place? Because it's fun. Because when I came home and showed all my friends, who used to love 90210 and watch it faithfully, we all had a laugh and remembered when we all had silly fangirl crushes on him.

Also, despite his emotionless face, he was really very professional and charming, a little bit sweet too.
posted by easybrzy at 5:13 PM on November 3, 2010 [5 favorites]


Sorry, I forgot to set up the link when I quoted delmoi's exact words regarding judging someone's ugliness based on their looks. It wasn't supposed to be as rude as it probably sounded.

Funny that only my comment got deleted. I was considering offering the link just then, but if the Mods don't want me quoting delmoi... then I think I'm just asking for trouble.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:21 PM on November 3, 2010


It's all about me.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:23 PM on November 3, 2010


Two days and no one's mentioned Al Gore in photo 21, or Edna Krabappel in photo 2?
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:39 PM on November 3, 2010


« Older Real people experiencing the Real God in the real...   |   Disunion @ the NYTimes Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments